Apparatus for mixing and dispensing an adhesive plasticized material



May 1, 1956 M. M. TRUE 2,743,912

APPARATUS FOR MIXING AND DISPENSING AN ADHESIVE PLASTICIZED MATERIAL Filed March 17, 1953 I I 4 Sheets-Sheet l as Q i- 1 w w J I, INVENTOR.

MAX M. TRUE BY A J ATTORNEY M M. TRUE 2,743,912

APPARATUS FOR MIXING AND DISPENSING AN ADHESIVE PLASTICIZED MATERIAL May 1, 1-956 IIIIIH Illlll Q I N III . 34 flL'IllI/IIA. 0

|I llllll 4 1 III N INVENTOR.

MAX M. TRUE & ATTORNEY ZE-P May 1, 1956 M. M. TRUE I 2,743,912

APPARATUS FOR MIXING AND DISPENSING AN ADHESIVE PLASTICIZEID MATERIAL Filed March 17, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 4-4- sa a 28 INVENTOR. MAX M. TRUE ATTORNEY 2 May 1, 1956 v M TRUE 2,743,912

APPARATUS FOR MIXING AND DISPENSING AN ADHESIVE PLASTICIZED MATERIAL Filed March 17, 1953 4 Shee -Sheet 4 IIIIILL--.

INVENTOR. MA X M. .TR U E BY f - ATTORNEY United States Patent APPARATUS FOR MIXING AND DISPENSING AN ADHESIVE PLASTICIZED MATERIAL Max M. True, Tulsa, Okla.

Application March 17, 1953, Serial No. 342,952

4 Claims. (Cl. 259-169) The presentinvention relates to apparatus for mixing and dispensing an adhesive plasticized material and has for its primary object to thoroughly mix with and to suspend aggregates having selected characteristics in an adhesive vehicle.

Another object of the present .invention is to deliver the mixture to a conduit through which it passed in the form of a stream for subsequent deposit on a surface.

A further object is to exert pressure on the stream to cause it to advance until it is finally deposited on the surface.

A still further object is to maintain a continuous supply of the mixed material for application to the surface and to avoid interrupting the supply of material, while the mixing thereof is being effected.

The above and other objects may be attained by employing this invention which embodies among its features a pair of closed mixing containers mounted adjacent one another, mixing elements mounted in the containers for rotation about a common axis, drive means connected to the mixing elements for selectively rotating them about the common axis, ducts connected to the containers and to a conduit through which mixed material is conveyed for deposit on a surface, means for selectively establishing communication between one of the containers and the conduit, and means adjacent the drive means for selectively establishing communication between the containers and a source of air pressure or atmosphere.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of apparatus for mixing and dispensing an adhesive plasticized material embodying the features of this invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 showing the container in longitudinal section.

Figure 3 is a rear view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through an aggregate mixing tank.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a modified form of mixing and dispensing apparatus showing the mixing tanks connected and the device ready for the connection of the air lines thereto.

Figure 6 is a side view of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the line, 8--8 of Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the control valve for the plasticized material.

Referring to the drawings in detail a substantially elongated rectangular bed 10 carries adjacent one longitudinal side edge longitudinally spaced pairs of upwardly extending spaced parallel saddle members 12 and 14.

Seated in the saddle members 12 is a container designated generally 16 and a similar container designated generally 18 is seated in the saddle members 14.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 through 4 inclusive each container comprises an elongated 2,743,912 Patented May 1, 1956 hollow circular cylindrical body 20 carrying at one end a permanently attached end wall 22 which is preferably concavo-convex with its convex side disposed outwardly. Carried by the end wall 22 of each body 20 and extending outwardly from the convex side of its respective end wall is a bracket 24 on which is supported a bearing block having a shaft receiving opening 28 extending therethrough which is concentric with relation to the longitudinal axis of its respective body 20. Extending through each end wall 22 in axial alignment with the adjacent bearing opening 28 is a packing gland 30, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear. Extending through the wall of each body 20 remote from the permanently closed end thereof is a filling opening or manhole 32, and carried by each body 20 in surrounding relation to the opening 32 therein is a tubular collar 34 which forms a support for a removable cover 36 which when in place on the collar 34 is preferably hermetically sealed against the ingress or egress of air.

Removably closing the end of each body 20 remote from the permanently attached end wall 22 is a removably attached end Wall 38 which like the end wall 22 is concaveconvex in form and carries on its convex side a bracket 40 upon which a bearing block 42 is supported. The bearing block 42 has extending therethrough a shaft receiving opening 44 which aligns with the opening 28 in the block 26. A packing gland 46 is carried by and extends through the end wall 38 of each body 20 and aligns axially with the shaft receiving opening 44 in the adjacent bearing block 42.

As illustriated in the drawings the bodies 20 lie along a common axis with their permanently closed end walls 22 adjacent one another so that the shaft receiving openings 28 and 44, and the packing glands 30 and 46 of both bodies align axially. By thus arranging the bodies 20 the removable end walls 38 may readily be removed to give access to the interiors of the bodies for cleaning and repair. In the preferred form of the invention the junctions of the end walls 38 and bodies 20 are equipped in any approved manner to efiect hermetic seals which will prevent the ingress of air into or the egress of air out of the containers 16 and 18.

Mounted for rotation in the shaft receiving openings 28 and 44 in the bearing blocks 26 and 42 of the container 16 is a shaft 48. A similar shaft 50 is mounted for rotation in the shaft receiving openings 28 and 44 in the bearing blocks 26 and 44 in the bearing blocks 26 and 42 of the container 18, and carried by the adjacent ends of the respective shafts 48 and 50 are clutch elements 52 and 54. Carried by the respective shafts 48 and 50 are op-- positely pitched spiral mixing blades 56 and 58 which are so arranged that when the shafts are rotated in the same direction as by a common drive means the material being mixed will be directed toward the permanent end walls 22.

Communicating with the interior of the container 16 through the end wall 22 and adjacent the bottom thereof is a discharge nipple 69. A similar discharge nipple 62 communicates with the interior of the container 18 and these nipples are respectively provided with conventional couplings 64 and 66 by means of which they are coupled to opposite legs 68 and 70 of a valve designated generally 72. The valve 72 comprises a valve body 74 having conveying passages or ducts which at their convergent ends open into a passage 88 forming a common conduit. Extending through the valve body 74 in intersecting relation to the convergent passages and the common conduit are transverse openings in which are mounted for rotation turning plugs 88, 90 and 92. The turning plugs 88, 90 and 92 are respectively provided with transversely extending passages which are adapted to register with the passages in the valve body when the turning plugs are rotated.

Mounted on the bed between the adjacent ends of the containers 16 and 18 is a drive unit 100 having a power output shaft 102 which lies in axial alignment with and extends between the shafts 48 and 50 and carries adjacent its end adjacent the shaft 48 a longitudinally movable clutch element 104 which is adapted to be moved into and out of meshing engagement with the clutch unit 52. A similar longitudinally shiftable clutch unit 106 is mounted on the shaft 102 adjacent the ends thereof adjacent the shaft 50 for movement into and out of meshing engagement with the clutch element 54. It will be understood of course that while the clutch elements 104 and 106 may be shifted longitudinally on the shaft 102 they are so connected to the shaft 102 as to rotate therewith. Moreover any suitable manually controlled means may be coupled to the clutch units 104 and 106 to move them into and out of meshing engagement with the clutch units 52 and 54 and it is preferred that the movement of one such clutch unit be independent of the other clutch unit. The power input shaft 108 of the drive unit is coupled in any conventional manner to the power output shaft 110 of a conventional speed reduction unit 112 of the variable speed type which is mounted on the bed 10 to one side of the containers 16 and 18, the power input shaft 114 of the speed reduction unit 112 is coupled in any conventional manner to the power ouput or drive shaft 116 of a conventional prime mover designated generally 118. The prime mover 118 is mounted on the bed 10 adjacent and to one side of the speed reduction unit 112 and mounted on the bed 10 on the opposite side of said speed reduction unit 112 is a compressor 120 the drive shaft of which is connected as by a shaft 122 to a power take oif unit 124 which is coupled to and driven by the speed reduction unit 112. In the preferred form of the invention a pressure storage tank 126 is mounted on the bed 10 adjacent the compressor 120 and is connected thereto for receiving and storing the air or other expansible gaseous fluid compressed by the compressor 120.

Coupled to the pressure storage tank 126 and leading therefrom beneath the bed 10 to a loaction adjacent the valve 72 is a pressure supply pipe 128 which has coupled thereto adjacent the valve 172 a vertically extending pipe 130 carrying adjacent its upper end a main shut off valve 136. A pipe 138 leads upwardly from the control valve 136 and is equipped with a conventional pressure gage 140. Coupled to the pipe 138 are branch pipes 142 and 144 which are connected through shut off valves 146 and 148 respectively to the tanks 16 and 18 through ports 150 and 152.

In use the materials to be mixed and plasticized or already plasticized materials that are to be mixed with selected aggregates are introduced into a selected container through the manhole 34 therein while the clutch element of the selected container is disengaged from the cooperating clutch element on the shaft 102. When the desired quantity of material to be mixed has been deposited in the selected container, the cover 36 of the manhole 34 is placed in closing relation thereto and hermetically sealed. The cooperating clutch element carried by the shaft 102 is then engaged with the clutch element of the container containing the material to be mixed and with the drive shaft 116 of the prime mover 118 in rotation, the mixing blade will stir the material in the container to cause a thorough mixing. thereof while propelling the material toward the discharge nipple of the selected container. Obviously while the material in the selected container is being mixed, the other or second container may be charged with additional material to be mixed and the second container prepared for operation. When a thorough mixing of the materials in the first mentioned container has been accomplished the valve connecting its discharge nipple with the conduit is opened and upon opening the valve in the conduit the mixed material will enter the conduit to be directed to its destination. In order to assist in the discharge of the mixed material from the first selected container, the main control valve 136 is opened and one or the other of the valves 146 or 148 is opened to establish communication between the pressure tank 126 and the selected container to create a head of air under pressure on the material therein having a valve sufiicient to force the mixed material through the discharge nipple or duct and through the conduit to its destination. By the time that the supply of mixed material in the first selected container nears exhaustion, the material in the second container will have been thoroughly mixed so that by opening the valve in the duct between the second container and the conduit and closing the open valve in the branch air line while opening the valve in the opposite branch line so that the mixed material in the second container is placed under pressure to cause it to flow through the conduit to its destination. Obviously the valve in the duct between the'conduit and the first selected container will be closed to prevent the flow of the material from the second container into the first container. By thus alternately connecting one and then the other container to the conduit it is evident that the flow of mixed plasticized materials through the conduit may be maintained without interruption.

If so desired the bed 10 may be mounted on a truck or trailer bed for transportation or it may be otherwise rendered portable as by mounting ground wheels.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Figures 5 through 9 inclusive separate mixing tanks and 162 comprising respectively circular cylindrical bodies 164 and 166 carry adjacent end heads 168 and 170 respectively having axially aligned bearings 172 and 174 in which are mounted to rotate agitator shafts 176 and- 178 and carried by the shaft 176 is a coupling 180 by which driving connection may be established with the shaft 1787 A drive motor 182 is mounted atop the tank 160 and has driving connection with the shaft 176 through the medium of a drive chain 184 and sprockets 186 and 188 respectively.

The ends of the bodies 164 and 166 remote from the heads 168 and 170 are closed by removable heads 190 and 192 carrying bearing collars 194 and 196 in which The tanks the shafts 176 and 178 are mounted to rotate. 160 and 162 are provided with filling tubes 198 and 200 respectively which are closed by removable covers 202 and 204 held in place on their respective filling tubes by conventional clamps 206 which are adapted to securely clamp the covers in place to effect a fluid tight seal bctween the covers and their respective tanks. Obviously if so desired suitable gaskets may be employed between the covers and the filling tubes to assure an air tight seal.

Mounted on each shaft 176 and 178 for rotation therewith between the heads of their respective tanks 160 and 162 is an agitator designated generally 208 and each agitator comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced hubs 210 secured to the respective shafts 176 and 178 by set screws 212. Carried by and radiating from the hubs 210 within the respective tanks are arms 214 carrying adjacenttheir ends remote from the hubs agitating blades 216 which move in a circular path adjacent the tubular bodies 164 and 166.

Carried by the tank 160-adjacent the end thereof adjacent the coupling 180 are ground wheels 218 and a caster wheel 220 is mounted on the tank 160 to swivel therebeneath adjacent the end thereof remote from the ground wheels 218; Similar ground wheels 222 are carried by the tank 162 intermediate the ends thereof and carried by the tank 162 adjacent the bottom and opposite sides thereof are tubes 224 in which are fixed guide bars 226 which project longitudinally from the tank 162 adjacent the head 170. Socket members 230 are carried by the tank 160 adjacent the bottom and 'the top thereof for receiving the guide bars 226 when the shaft 178 aligns with the shaft 17.

The heads 168 and 170 respectively are provided adjacent the bottoms of their respective tanks 160 and 162 with discharge nozzles 234 and 236, and detachably connected to said discharge nozzles is a valve designated generally 238. This valve has a main discharge nozzle 240 carrying a flow control valve 242 and branch supply legs 244 and 246 which are adapted to be detachably coupled to the discharge nozzles 234 and 236 respectively. Suitable shut off valves 248 and 250 are carried by the legs 244 and 246 respectively and are adapted to selectively close communication between the tanks and the discharge nozzle 240.

In the preferred form of this modification, the caster wheel is provided with a tiller handle 252 by which the tank 160 may be steered when moving into or out of a selected position, and removably entering the end of the bottom most tube 224 remote from the guide bar 226 is a handle bar designated generally 254 by which the tank 162 may be guided into position with relation to the tank 160.

Obviously with the parts assembled as shown in Figures and 6, and the motor 182 in operation the agitators 208 in the tanks will be driven so as to thoroughly mix the contents of the tanks. When it is desired to use the mixed contents of a tank the selected valve is opened and an air pressure line is coupled to the vent 256 thereof so as to create a pressure head of air on the plasticized material to cause it to fiow under pressure through the discharge nozzle 240. The plasticized material leaving the discharge nozzle 240 is conveyed through a flexible duct (not shown) to a gun of the type disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 462,947 filed October 18, 1954.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for mixing and dispensing an adhesive plasticized material comprising a pair of mixing containers, a drive shaft extending through each container, a mixing element mounted on each drive shaft within its respective container, drive means carried by one of the containers and operatively connected to the drive shaft thereof, telescopically interengaging means carried by the containers for detachably connecting said containers together and aligning the drive shafts with one another, a socket on one of said containers adaptable for receiving a lever whereby to facilitate guiding said intergaging means into telescopic engagement and detachable coupling means carried by the drive shafts for connecting the drive shafts and rotating them in unison.

2. Apparatus for mixing and dispensing an adhesive plasticized material comprising a pair of mixing containers, a drive shaft extending through each container, a mixing element mounted on each drive shaft within its respective container, drive means carried by one of the container and projecting longitudinally therefrom for entrance into the socket members and holding the containers in axial alignment and the drive shafts aligned along a common axis, and cooperating coupling members carried by the drive shafts for establishing driving connection therebetween.

3. Apparatus for mixing and dispensing an adhesive plasticized material comprising a pair of mixing containers, a drive shaft extending through each container, a mixing element mounted on each drive shaft within its respective container, drive means carried by one of the containers and operatively connected to the drive shaft thereof, telescopically interengaging means carried by the containers for detachably connecting said containers together and aligning the drive shafts with one another, a socket on one of said containers adaptable for receiving a lever whereby to facilitate guiding said intergaging means into telescopic engagement, detachable coupling means carried by the drive shafts and rotating them in unison, aggregate discharge spouts carried by the containers, and an aggregate discharge valve detachably connected to the discharge spouts for regulating the flow of aggregate from the containers.

4. Apparatus for mixing and dispensing an adhesive plasticized material comprising a pair of mixing containers, a drive shaft extending through each container, a mixing element mounted on each drive shaft Within its respective container, drive means carried by one of the containers and operatively connected to the drive shaft thereof, interengaging means carried by the containers for detachably connecting said containers together and aligning the drive shafts with one another, socket members carried by one of the containers and extending longitudinally thereof, connecting bars carried by the other container and projecting longitudinally therefrom for entrance into the socket members and holding the containers in axial alignment and the drive shafts aligned along a common axis, cooperating coupling members carried by the drive shafts for establishing driving connection therebetween, aggregate discharge spouts carried by the containers and projecting outwardlyand downwardly therefrom, and an aggregate discharge valve detachably connected to the spouts for selecting a' container from which aggregate is to be discharged and regulating the volume of the aggregate being so discharged.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,422,811 Applegate et a1. July 18, 1922 1,472,015 Coburn Oct. 23, 1923 1,605,617 Ruemelin Nov. 2, 1926 1,733,724 Downs Oct. 29, 1929 1,959,712 Flowers May 22, 1934 2,324,988 Greenup et a1. July 20, 1943 2,455,945 North et al Dec. 14, 1948 2,530,174 Payton Nov. 14, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 539,315 Germany Nov. 24, 1931 652,142 Great Britain Apr. 18, 1951 

1. APPARATUS FOR MIXING AND DISPENSING AN ADHESIVE PLASTICIZED MATERIAL COMPRISING A PAIR OF MIXING CONTAINERS, A DRIVE SHAFT EXTENDING THROUGH EACH CONTAINER, A MIXING ELEMENT MOUNTED ON EACH DRIVE SHAFT WITHIN ITS RESPECTIVE CONTAINER, DRIVE MEANS CARRIED BY ONE OF THE CONTAINERS AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO THE DRIVE SHAFT THEREOF, TELESCOPICALLY INTERENGAGING MEANS CARRIED BY THE CONTAINERS FOR DETACHABLY CONNECTING SAID CONTAINERS TOGETHER AND ALIGNING THE DRIVE SHAFTS WITH ONE ANOTHER, A SOCKET ON ONE OF SAID CONTAINERS ADAPTABLE FOR RECEIVING 